HARTFORD, Conn. – The #1-ranked Trinity College Men's Basketball team overcame a slow start to down visiting Hamilton College, 77-48, in a New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) tilt at Ray Oosting Gymnasium Saturday afternoon. The Bantams improve to 16-0 overall, and 4-0 in conference, while the Continentals hold a 4-12, 1-2 record.
 
What Happened:

• Points came at a premium early as the sides combined to shoot 2-of-21 from the floor over the opening seven minutes as Hamilton held a 3-2 edge.
• The Continentals used six points from Matthew Rideout to hold a 9-5 lead, but Trinity battled back to grab a 14-9 lead until five points from Rideout helped Hamilton to a 17-15 advantage at the 6:39 mark.
• The Bantams kicked it into gear on both ends of the floor down the stretch, limiting the Continentals to three points during an 18-3 run over the next six minutes, paced by eight points from Henry Vetter, to hand Trinity a 33-20 lead at the half.
• Vetter and Okorougo fueled a 10-1 run over the first five minutes of the second half to push the lead to 43-21 with 15:45 on the clock.
• The Bantams saw their lead swell to 66-32 as Vetter, Jared Berry and Paul Ippolito canned three straight three-pointers. Trinity used buckets from Marley Stewart, Kobe Closeil, and Nathan Freisthler to cruise to the 77-48 victory.

 
Inside the Numbers:

• The Bantams shot 45.8% (27-of-59) from the field, including 41.7% (10-of-24) from three-point range, and 72.2% (13-of-18) from the foul line.
• The Continentals struggled from the field, connecting on 29.3% (13-of-46) from the floor, 34.8% (8-of-23) from beyond the arc, and 70% (14-of-20) from the free throw stripe.
• Rebounds: Trinity 44, Hamilton 29
• Turnovers: Hamilton 15, Trinity 9
• Points off Turnovers: Trinity 15, Hamilton 11
• Points in the Paint: Trinity 34, Hamilton 6
• Bench Points: Trinity 36, Hamilton 25
• Trinity had 14 players register points in the game, led by Vetter with a game-high 20 points and two rebounds.
• Okorougo tallied 10 points with a game-high eight rebounds, two steals and two blocks, while Tristan Davis delivered six points and seven rebounds.
• Berry and Ippolito added six points apiece, while Ayles dished out a game-high four assists with a game-high four steals,
• Matthew Rideout paced the Continentals with a team-high 14 points, shooting 3-of-9 from three-point. Jalen Reese and Omar Kulenovic chipped in six points each.

 
Up Next:

• The Bantams will return to the hardwood when they host Western New England in non-conference action on Wednesday, January 21 at 7:00 p.m.
• All-time, Trinity possesses a 7-3 record against the Golden Bears, dating back to their initial meeting during the 2011-12 season.
• The Bantams are riding a three-game win streak against WNEU, including a 79-42 victory last season in the NCAA Division III National Championship Sweet 16.